Basotho Hat Shop
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Basotho Hat Shop | |
|---|---|
Mokorotlo building | |
 | |
 Interactive map of the Basotho Hat Shop area | |
| General information | |
| Type | Rondavel[1] |
| Architectural style | Novelty |
| Location | Kingsway Road, Maseru, Lesotho |
| Coordinates | 29°18′49″S 27°29′12″E / 29.31361°S 27.48667°E |
| Opened | April 28, 1962[2] |
| Renovated | 2000[3] |
| Demolished | 1998 |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Thatch |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Colin Unsworth[2] |
The Basotho Hat Shop is a landmark, craft shop, and tourist attraction located in Maseru, Lesotho.[4]
The building is conical in shape, and was originally constructed with reinforced concrete and a thatched roof.[4][5] It was designed by Colin Unsworth, then the Assistant Government Architect, and opened on April 28, 1962.[2]
The building is an example of novelty architecture as it is built to resemble a Mokorotlo, a traditional type of straw hat and national symbol of Lesotho.[4] The Mokorotlo was in turn inspired by the conical shape of Mount Qiloane.[6] The building operates as a craft shop, selling locally made, traditional handmade products, including Basotho hats, masks, pottery, and wood crafts and to tourists.[4][7]
In 2000, the building belonged to Lesotho Cooperative Handicrafts and employed 11 Basotho crafters.[3]
